Tablecloth pull
Equipment: A tablecloth and a place setting.
What it does: When the tablecloth is pulled quickly, it slides out from beneath the place setting without disturbing it.
Concepts Demonstrated: The force required to overcome friction.
Classroom assembly:
- Place the tablecloth on a table.
- Arrange a place setting on the tablecloth.
- Pull the tablecloth slowly. The place setting will move with the table cloth.
- Recenter the table cloth and place setting on the table.
- Pull the tablecloth out from beneath the place setting in one smooth, quick motion.
Cautions: Practice this demo in advance. Confidence and a smooth, quick motion are requried.
Setup Time: Short.
Difficulty: Straightforward after practice.
Visibility: High. This demonstration is appropriate for large lecture halls.
Related demonstrations:
References: PIRA 1D50.40
Original Construction: Purchased.
Disclaimer: All demonstrations are posted for the convenience and benefit of faculty and staff in the Department of Physics at Simon Fraser University and are not intended for outside use. The author(s) assume no responsibility or liability for the use of information contained on this site. Warnings and precautionary measures listed on this site assume normal operation of equipment and are not inclusive. Demonstrations may pose a significant hazard and can, in some instances, result in death; reasonable safety precautions must be taken. Demonstrations should be performed by qualified individuals only.
Prepared by Jeff Rudd, 1999
Revised by Laura Schmidt, May 2007